Most of us prefer to spend out golden days independently at home. It’s natural for our mobility to be limited in old age. For some elderly, mobility might not be possible beyond the home. Australia offers several avenues for at-home care. However, for senior who have been mostly active their lives, transitioning to in-home care can be difficult. If there are other family members in the house, the process can become complicated. Everyone may feel the mental toll, but there are several ways to make this transition period easier. Here are several suggestions for understanding how in-home care works and how elderly and family members can better transition to it:
Learn about Available Services
There are several government-funded programs that allow seniors to manage the costs of in-home care. The main one is the Commonwealth Home Support Programme, in addition to multiple home care and end of life care packages the governments offer. It’s important to spend some time researching all these packages. Find out which packages the senior and his or her family is eligible for. There will be assessments involved as well. The point is, the senior doesn’t have to bear all costs of home care by his or her own. These programs can help but it’s important to understand them first.
Get the Medications Directly to Home
One of the biggest challenges of transitioning to independent in-home care for seniors is buying things, especially the pharmacy supplies. Fortunately, there are now a number of online services that facilitate home delivery of prescription medications and other required medical equipment. Find a reputable local pharmacy first. Don’t purchase from just any online supplier. Find a pharmacy in your area that can facilitate services like mail-order home prescription delivery. Elderly who do not have other family members looking after them can benefit from such services the most.
Prepare the Home for In-Home Care
A big part of transitioning to in-home care also involves physically preparing the home for elderly living. This may involve making some alterations to rooms and living areas. For example, the bathroom might need handlebars to support the senior in need of care. It’s recommended to install anti-scalding equipment for showers, bathtub, and faucets. The smoke detectors in the house is recommended to have features such as strobe lights and vibration, in addition to sound alarm, for the senior person to notice in emergencies. Similarly, install carbon monoxide detectors with a high rating for sensitivity. Some family members of the seniors also prefer to have motion sensors installed to alert them to any lack of motion. Learn more about the alternations needed and make sure these are installed without delay.
Hold Honest Discussions
If other family members are involved, it will be important to talk about the elderly person receiving in-home care. If little children are worried about grandma or grandpa, explain to them that in-home care is a positive thing. It’s important to discuss how the members of the family can each take responsibility for care giving.
In-home care can be a very positive, practical, affordable and highly effective way to spend one’s final years. Therefore, use the above facts as a starting point to transition to in-home care.